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THE 2010 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BRIARCLIFFE BRINGS HOME THE TROPHY!!! The Briarcliffe Seahawks
captured the 2010 USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in Maine today with a convincing 16-4 victory. It is Briarcliffe's second
National Championship in 5 years. The Seahawks never trailed in any inning in the entire tournament. Despite the
final score, this game was much closer than it appeared. The Seahawks scored three in the first and two in the second to take
a 5-0 lead. However that lead was quickly cut to 5-2 in the top of the third. In the top of the fourth, UCC scored
again, making it 5-3 with the bases loaded and only one out. Freshman Chris Brezinski, who started for the Seahawks,
was removed in favor of senior Lee Ranta. Ranta retired the next two batters, with one run scoring. The Seahawks
lead was cut to 5-4. In the bottom of the fifth, however the Seahawks would explode for five runs. Senior Tim Coglietta
soon deposited a fastball over the left field wall to give the Seahawks a 9-4 lead. Ranta, Coglietta's fellow captain,
continued to mow down UCC for another three innings. The senior righthander would end up with the victory, his 24th
in his illustrious Briarcliffe career. Meanwhile, in the bottom of the sixth, the Seahawks sent the game to easy street as
Dave Darcy hit a bases clearing triple to give Briarcliffe an insurmountable 12-4 lead. Senior Tom Locrotondo followed with
a base hit up the middle to score Darcy, and the rout was on. Ranta, pitching on two days rest, had once again rescued Briarcliffe
from a potential lead change. Rich Burgos got the call for the eighth inning. Burgos gave up an infield hit, but no
more as UCC saw their last hopes becoming dimmed. Freshman closer Kurt Stettner got the opportunity to close out the championship
with a one-two-three inning, ending the game with a strikeout. Head Coach Gary Puccio, Associate Head Coach Enver Lopez
and Assistant coach Justin McKay (one as a player, one as a coach) won the title for the second time in five years,
no easy feat by any means. Puccio spoke after the game. " I can't even begin to say how proud I am of this team,
and of what they accomplished. There are so many players who have meant so much to the success of this team, both on
the field and off. I can never say enough about players like Dave Hoskin, who warmed up pitchers for us consistently...or
Dan Harty, who helped keep the team loose and made the chemistry special. It took every one of these guys to make it
happen, and to make it special. I especially want to thank them, as well as Sean Graham, who brought
a smile to the place everytime he took the field. The starters and main guys always get the credit for success,
but believe me these other guys contributed big time as well. I also have to thank my assistants -- Keith kenny and Justin
McKay, who both worked extremely hard. Of Course, Associate head coach Enver Lopez is just the best in the business.
I have been blessed to have him at my side since my first day. Lastly, I can never say enough about my three seniors. I
am honored to have coached them, and am thankful for the great effort they gave the team all year long." The celebration was on!! Congratulations to the Seahawks, the 2010 USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!! ROUND 3: SEAHAWKS HEAD TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
FOUR RUN FIRST INNING, RICK DOHT LEAD SEAHAWKS IN 6-1 WIN The Briarcliffe Seahawks have advanced to the championship game for
the 2010 USCAA NATIONAL TITLE. The Seahawks scored four runs in the first inning, putting Penn State-Beaver in trouble
early. The Seahawks big hit came on a two out two rbi base hit by Dave Darcy. The team added another run in the
bottom of the second, as Eric Wiener delivered Reggie Smith from second base with a base hit to right center. Meanwhile,
Rick Doht continued his stellar season, pitching a gem. Doht held Penn State-Beaver scoreless until the final frame,
when he gave up a run and three hits. The righthander, who was honored before the game for being named an Honorable
Mention All-American, raised his record to 7-1 on the season. The Seahawks now move on to the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. The team will play the winner of
the Penn State-Beaver vs Cincinnati 11 AM game. The winner of that game will have to defeat Briarcliffe twice to claim
the title. ROUND 2: BRIARCLIFFE
DEFEATS UCC, 8-4 WITH TWO FOUR RUN INNINGS THe Seahawks quickly showed today that the butterflies they experienced in game 1 of the opening round for
the USCAA National Championships were behind them. The Seahawks exploded for four runs in the bottom of the first, as
Dave Darcy drove home two runs with a big two out base hit. In the top of the second, UCC responded with four runs of
their own. The Seahawks came right back with another four spot as Joe Solomeno drove home 2 runs to give Briarcliffe
a 6-4 lead. The Seahawks would never look back as vin Aprano would settle down and pitch a complete game. Aprano
did not allow another run, as the Seahawks won 8-4. Briarcliffe advances to play Penn State - Beaver tomorrow.
The winner of tomorrow's game will advance to the National Championship Game. BRIARCLIFFE
SURVIVES OPENING ROUND SCARE, 2-1 IN EXTRA INNINGS VS. SOUTHERN MAINE
"VINTAGE RANTA" REFUSES TO LOSE, K's 12...BRAVERMAN'S INFIELD HIT WINS IT The Briarcliffe Seahawks survived a major scare in their opening round game of the USCAA National Championship. The Seahawks defeated Southern Maine, 2-1 in extra innings behind Lee Ranta's outstanding pitching. The senior All-American showed why he is Briarcliffe's all time winningest pitcher, as he walked 2, scattered 6 hits and allowed one earned run in a "must win" opening round game. The Seahawks scored in the bottom of the eighth when Reggie Smith singled, was sacrificed to second by eric Wiener, advanced to third on a groundout by Kevin Licul, and scored on Sam BRaverman's carefully placed RBI infield hit. Braverman beat the throw, allowing Reggie Smith (who was 3 for 4) to score the winning run and allowthe Seahawks to escape with the win. The team will play UC- Clermont on Tuesday at 4 pm...CLermont is the team that eliminated the Seahawks a year ago. While head coach Gary Puccio was asked about UCC, his focus instead was on his senior pitcher. "If this is Lee's last performance as a Seahawk, he goes out the way he came in -- just a superb competitor, an outstanding young man, and a lion on the field. It has been an honor for me to coach him. You know, for four straight years we have won the first round game at the tournament. If you looked it up, all four years the winning pitcher was Ranta. What a lift he gives us in our hopes of winning the title." With the win, Ranta is now Coach Puccio's all time winningest pitcher of his career. "Yea it makes it special -- he has been a truly special player. You know when you have a gem on your hands, and he has been that. It sure will feel quite different not having Lee around to set the tempo. I am proud to call him the winningest pitcher of my career."
FRESHMAN LEAD BRIARCLIFFE TO WIN # 20 SOLOMENO, WIENER, MELE COMBINE FOR 10 HITS,
BRAVERMAN ADDS 3, DARCy HOMERS! The Seahawks ended their regular season with an impressive 10-3 win at Post University in Connecticut.
Post, an NCAA Division 2 school that clinched a playoff berth in the CACC, celebrated their senior day. Just as Apprentice
had done to the Seahawks the day before, Briarcliffe turned the Post celebration into a loss, scoring 2 runs in the first,
third, sixth, eighth and ninth innings for the 10-3 win. It was a hit-a-thon for the Seahawks, who had struggled the
day before against Apprentice. Freshman Eric Wiener, Joe Solomeno, and Anthony Mele combined for ten hits in the contest.
Sam Braverman returned to the lineup with a three hit day, including a double and triple. Dave Darcy, who a day earlier
was named the future captain of the 2011 team, celebrated with an inside the park home run in the eighth inning. Rick Doht,
whose only bad outing was in Dallas in an 8 AM start, continued to pitch effectively, raising his record to 6-1 on the year.
"We needed to get back on track for this game, and I saw some good signs. We played well, but we can play better.
Rick once again gave us an outstanding performance, " the head coach stated. "It is time to get all our engines
back on full speed mode -- its playoff baseball now." The
Seahawks, the # 2 seed in the playoffs, will begin play on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 9 PM.
Apprentice Reclaims # 1 Seed with 2 game sweep The Apprentice Builders returned the favor, defeating Briarcliffe
at home in a 2 game series that ultimately would determine the #1 seed for the tournament. Apprentice easily defeated
the Seahawks 10-4 on Thursday, then spoiled senior day with an 8-1 victory as well. In both games, it was one poor inning
that the Seahawks could not get out of that determined the winner. Thursday, the Builders scored six times in the second
inning, five of the runs scoring after two outs, as they rolled to a 10-4 win. Saturday, as the Seahawks honored their
three graduating seniors, Apprentice put a five spot up in the third inning and coasted to an 8-1 win. Vin Aprano suffered
his first loss of the season on Thursday and Chris Brezinski got the loss on Saturday. The Seahawks wrap up their
2010 regular season with a game at Post University on Sunday May 2, 2010. THE WEEKEND
IN DALLAS: SEAHAWKS SPLIT 4 GAMES The weekend in Dallas ended in a split for the Seahawks, with the team losing
two one run games to Dallas while also beating Dallas 6-2 and Central Baptist 12-2. The highlights are below: The Seahawks came out smoking, scoring 5 runs in the top of
the first inning. VIn Aprano would make it stand up, pitching into the seventh when closer Kurt Stettner came on
and induced a ground ball double play with two runners on to end the ballgame. Tim Coglietta later homered for the Seahawks
sixth run. In game two, the Seahawks would blow a six run lead as Dallas scored two runs on wild pitches/passed balls to take
a 5-3 lead. The Seahawks would leave the tying run at third in the top of the sixth. DALLAS GAME # 3: LOCROTONDO's
BIG DAY NOT ENOUGH AS SEAHAWKS FALL 8-7 Tom Locrotondo had a big day for the Seahawks, driving in the first four runs
with a double and his first Seahawk home run but Dallas prevailed 8-7. The Seahawks again would leave the tying run at third
in the top of the eighth inning. Once again, the Seahawks squandered leads of 3-0 and 5-2. Richard Burgos took the loss in
relief, which gave Dallas two one-run victories in the series. Coach Puccio was not pleased with the umpiring nor the
team's efforts. "We didn't play well today. At the same time, when an umpire says to me he blew the call, and then still
doesn't correct it, that is pretty bad. I knew coming into foreign territory that the umpiring would be an issue. Even I was
surprised at how much so it was. However, that doesn't explain our poor defense all series." AS for Locrotondo's
big day, the coach added."Tommy has been terrific all year for us -- I am sure today is a day he will remember for a
long time. When you are nearing the end of your college career, it is great to have a day like that to finish it out.
Tommy is a big reason we are where we are today. I am very happy for him." CENTRAL BAPTIST'S PRAYERS UNANSWERED AS SEAHAWKS WIN 12-2
From the Seahawks point of view, the Central Baptist game was the best game of the weekend for Briarcliffe. Mike Rocco broke a 1-1 tie with a long three run home run in the bottom of the second to give the Seahawks a lead they would never relinguish. Later in the game, Sam Braverman would hit on of the longest shots ever at the University of Dallas stadium, easily clearing the 418 sign and landing on the centerfield hill approximately 455 feet from home plate. Braverman's three run homer gave his five rbi's for the day. Tim Coglietta hit his third home run in four games as the Seahawk captain continues to thrive at the plate and in the field. With the score at 11-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Reggie Smith would hit a two out, no one on home run to end the ballgame. SEAHAWKS CONTINUE TO ROLL PAST
ST JOE, 24-3 SOLOMENO GOES
5-6...COGLIETTA HOMERS...MELE HITS HIS FIRST COLLEGE HOME RUN
The Briarcliffe Seahawks, despite a nine day layoff due to inclement weather, came out firing against USCAA rival St.
Joseph, Brooklyn. The Seahawks scored seven times in the bottom of the second, and never looked back. Rick Doht, who
gave up a solo home run in the fourth, allowed only three hits in five innings of work to pick up the win. The day however
belonged to the hitters, as the Seahawks racked up 28 hits on their way to the 24-3 victory. Joe Solomeno, a freshman
from Sachem HS, had 5 hits on the afternoon, including an RBI and three runs scored. Tim Coglietta homered in the bottom
of the third to give the Seahawks an 8-0 lead. Freshman Anthony Mele added to the scoring an inning later, hitting his
first college home run - a two run shot to left field that easily cleared the wall. Mele now is second on the team in RBI
with 20. The Seahawks are now 17-7 after a 1-4 start. The team travels to the University of Dallas this week for five
big games in Texas (three with UD, two with Central Baptist) before returning home for the final home stand of the year.
Briarcliffe remains the # 1 seed in the USCAA. SEAHAWKS SWEEP BUILDERS IN USCAA SHOWDOWN It was everything everyone expected it would be as the #
2 ranked Briarcliffe Seahawks took on the # 1 Apprentice Builders in Newport News, Virginia for a big three game weekend
series. Every game had such great moments...lots of score lead changes...a Jonathan Dehoux Apprentice home run
to give them a 6-4 lead in game 2...a major Apprentice comeback from a 5-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh in game one
to force extra innings...a Briarcliffe comeback from a 6-4 deficit in the final inning of game 2...and a freshman stepping
up on the mound to pitch a complete game 5-1 victory. As exciting as a three game series can be, the Seahawks managed to prevail
in all three games. The series sweep should move Briarcliffe into the #1 ranking spot in the USCAA on Wednesday. The
games were one more exciting than the next.
GAME 1: It looked like Briarcliffe was on its way to s 5-2 win, but with closer Kurt Stettner on the mound the Seahawks
combined some shotty defense with some timely hitting by the builders to force a 5-5 tie. Things in fact looked
real bleak for the Seahawks, as with the score tied 5-5and three runs already in,Apprentice faced a bases loaded one out "win
the game" situation. With a long fly ball spelling doom for Briarcliffe, Stettner got a comebacker and turned
it into an inning ending 1-2-3 double play to force the game into extra innings. After two scoreless innings, Anthony
Mele delivered a base hit in the top of the tenth to give the Seahawks the lead. Mele would then score himself
on a hit by joe Solomeno. Rick Doht, who has had an absolutely outstanding season, had come on in the bottom of the ninth
and remained through the tenth to earn the win. GAME
2: What a see-saw battle this game was. The Seahawks led 3-0 early, and Lee Ranta looked like he was going to breeze
to a victory. However, Jimmy Wilson delivered a two out basehit that drove home the Builders' first run. Before
the inning was over, the lead had been cut to 3-2. With momentum now on the side of Apprentice, the team scored
twice in the bottom of the fifth for a 4-3 lead. Briarcliffe answered right back as Joe Solomeno doubled (his third
of the day), reached third on a wild pitch, and then scored immediately on a fly ball from Tim Coglietta. HOwever, in
the bottom of the sixth Jonathan Dehoux, the league's leading home run hitter, delivered a two run homer against Ranta for
a 6-4 lead. With the Seahawks backs against the wall in the top of the seventh andfinal innning, Briarcliffe quickly rallied.
With two on and one out, Eric Wiener delivered a solid basehit to left that went past the leftfielder to the wall. The tying
runs scored, and Wiener found himself at third as the go ahead run. Moments later Kevin Licul would deliver a big base
hit to score Wiener. Before the inning was done, Briarcliffe would score 5 runs to take a 9-6 lead. In the bottom
of the inning, with Ranta still on the mound, Mike Rocco's error and a four pitch walk gave the Builders a chance to bring
the tying run to the plate. Puccio quickly called on closer Kurt Stettner, who had his first blown save in game 1. Showing
confidence in the freshman, Stettner struck out two of the three batters he faced to record the save and a doubleheader sweep
for the Seahawks. GAME 3: Chris Brezinski was given the
ball to start game 3 of the series with the hopes that he could get the Seahawks deep into the game. With a depleted
bullpen, Brezinski delivered much more. The Seahawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but Apprentice got a run back in the
bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 3-1. It would be the only run the Builders would score on the day. Brezinski
would go on to pitch acomplete game 5 hitter, walking none and striking out four. Meanwhile, in the top of the sixth inning,
Kevin Licul delivered a monstrous home run to increase the Seahawks lead to 4-1. In the top of the eighth, Dave Darcy's
triple followed by a wild pitch gave the Seahawks their final run in the 5-1 3 game sweep. A very pleased Coach Puccio had
this to say. "Apprentice is a very good ballclub, and the first two games of the series could have gone either
way. We know they certainly will not be an easy out in the tournament. Hopefully we can play as well a month from now as we
did this weekend." The Seahawks expect to see themselves in the # 1 spot when the USCAA rankings are announced later
this week. The win was the Seahawks 15th in their last 18 games. LOCROTONDO,
DOHT GET SEAHAWKS WIN, 12-1
Tommy Locrotondo continued his hot bat for Briarcliffe, as the senior from Kings Park delivered a key two run single in the
bottom of the first to give Briarcliffe a 3-0 lead that they would never relinguish. Locrotondo before he was through
would add a double to his hitting day, and finished the afternoon with 5 rbi. That offense alone would be more than enough
for Rick Doht, who saw his consecutive scoreless inning streak broken at 21 but still emerged the winner. Doht now has a record
of 4-1and entered the game with opponents hitting .164 against him for the season. Doht was helped with some terrific
defense, including a first inning throw out at home to end the inning. Locrotondo also added another sparkler on
defense to round out his day.
"Tommy is such a valuable asset to our team. He comes to the park every day not knowing if he is in the lineup and if
so where he is playing. We have played him in left, right, third, shortstop, and second since he has been here.
It is so important to have such a versatile player. He has helped us in so many ways." The win is the Seahawks 12th
in the past 15 games, setting up SHOWDOWN TIME with the #1 ranked APPRENTICE. The team opens up a big three game series in
Virginia on Saturday. SEAHAWKS LOSE TO ASA, 6-4 The Seahawks got themselves too far behind, trailing 5-0 after four
innings, and were unable to overcome that deficit in a 6-4 loss to Division I juco ASA. The Seahawks never mounted any
type of rally until the bottom of the seventh, when Mike Rocco drove home two runs in a three run inning. Now trailing
5-3, the Seahawks held the Avengers scoreless until the ninth. However, ASA scored a run in the top of the
ninth. Rocco drove home another run in the bottom of the ninth, and the Seahawks had the tying runs on base, but were
unable to deliver the key hit to tie the game. The loss was only the third loss for Briarcliffe since February 20. SOLOMENO DELIVERS IN EXTRA FRAME SEAHAWKS WIN VS. NEW PALTZ, 4-3 IN EXTRA INNINGS ON SOLOMENO's RBI SINGLE Freshman Joe Solomeno
delivered a big base hit in the top of the eighth inning to give the Seahawks game 1 of a doubleheader with SUNY NEW PALIZ.
Solomeno's base hit delivered Sam Braverman to home plate. Braverman had doubled to lead off the top of the eighth inning,
helping the Seahawks to avoid what would have been a devastating loss. Briarcliffe seemed to be cruising along with a 3-1
lead in the bottom of the sixth when Lee Ranta gave up a 2 run homerun that tied the score and sent the Seahawks into shock
mode. However, after a scoreless seventh inning, Braverman and Solomeno teamed up for a big victory. Kurt Stettner,
who entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, got his second win in two days for the Seahawks.
In the second game, Sam Braverman's first inning three run home run got the Seahawks off to a fast start. However, things
began to unravel in the bottom of the fourth. With two men out and one on, Briarcliffe hurler Kevin Licul gave up a 3 run
home run that allowed New Paltz to erase a 5-3 lead, and go on to a 7-5 victory. The win snapped the Seahawks winning
streak at 6. However, despite the loss, head coach Gary Puccio was pleased with the team's performance. "We played two
solid baseball games today, and we are beginning to establish a level of play that I am quite comfortable with. Despite a
couple of injuries, our defense was again superb. I can't say enough about how well both Joe Solomeno (at third) and Tom Locrotondo
(at second) played for us. This team has very good depth, and I continue to be excited about our season."
The Seahawks return home for two games against ASA and Globe before beginning their big three game series vs. USCAA #1 ranked
Apprentice School in Virginia.
DOHT GOES BACK TO BACK -- SECOND STRAIGHT COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT AS RICK WINS ONCE AGAIN, 8-0, NIGHTCAP A 2-1 WINNING
THRILLER RICK DOHT
CONTINUES TO PITCH EXTREMELY WELL FOR THE SEAHAWKS. HAVING COME INTO THE GAME WITH A TEAM LOW OPPONENT'S BATTING AVERAGE
OF .180, DOHT SAW THAT AVERAGE LOWERED WITH A COMPLETE GAME 3-HIT SHUTOUT, 8-0. IT WAS DOHT's SECOND COnSECUTIVE
SHUTOUT FOR THE SEAHAWKS. ERIC WIENER LED THE HITTING ATTACK WITH BOTH A DOUBLE AND TRIPLE. THE SEAHAWKS BATTED AROUND
IN THE THIRD INNING, SCORING 6 TIMES. In game 2, the Seahawks scored in the opening
frame and Vin Aprano tried to make it hold up. However, Fisher College got to the Briarcliffe hurler in the top of the sixth,
with a two out no one on triple. Aprano's next pitch sailed over the head of centerfielder Tim Coglietta for a game
tying double. With the game tied 1-1, the Seahawks called on closer Kurt Stettner to put out the fire. Stettner
immediately got a ground ball to second base to end the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning, the Seahawks went back
to work. After one out, Tim Coglietta and Dave Darcy hit back to back singles to place runners at the corners. Anthony
Mele hit a pee to right field, but Coglietta was unable to tag and score on the play because the ball was so hard hit by Mele.
That brought up shortstop Mike Rocco, who delivered a crucial two out rbi single to left to give the Seahawks a 2-1 Lead.
Stettner would handle it from there, getting a ground ball to Reggie Smith, a popup to Kevin Licul, and a game ending strikeout
to run his record to 2-0. The freshman showed great poise in his first close game appearance. "Kurt Stettner will
be the closer here for a long time. He has great stuff, outstanding poise on the mound, and pitches like a veteran.
I couldn't be happier for him." head coach Gary Puccio commented. Puccio also complimented the entire team. "We
played almost as perfect a doubleheader as you can play today -- we had key hits, successful sacrifices, terrific pitching
and flawless defense. I am extremely happy with where we are at this stage of the season." The Seahawks
schedule gets tougher in April, as they will spent a lot of the month on the road, travelling to Massachusetts (Fisher College),
Virginia (#1 USCAA ranked APPRENTICE) and Texas (#14 ranked UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS). The team travels to NEW PALTZ
for a pre-Easter doubleheader and then returns home for a 2 game homestand vs ASA and GLOBE. The Seahawks have now won 10
of their last 11, and are currently ranked # 3 in the USCAA. UMPI FALLS
VICTIM TO BRIARCLIFFE HITTING ATTACK, 15-7
REGGIE SMITH STAYS HOT WITH ThREE HITS AND FIVE RBI's
Reggie Smith, the premier second baseman for the Seahawks, continued his hitting barrage as the junior pounded out three
hits adn five rbi in route to a 15-7 win. The score was not as close as it seemed. The Seahawks scored early and
often, leading 10-0 after two innings. However, the bullpen would let up 7 runs before the day was done. Briarcliffe
used 5 pitchers in the ballgame, with closer Kurt Stettner pitching the final two scoreless innings for the win. SEAHAWKS HAMMER LEHMAN, 20 -0
AS BRAVERMAN HOMERS, DOUBLES? Coach Puccio called it the longest double
he had ever seen. Sam Braverman, who had homered earlier in the game, hit a ball into the L-train up on Jerome
Avenue. However, due to the strange ground rules at Lehman, the hit was ruled a ground rule double. "That's what
he gets for pulling the ball," Puccio joked, "what an incredible rule! A 450 foot double!" The Seahawks had
a laugher on their hands from the go, scoring 8 in the first and 6 in the second on their way to a 20-0 rout.
Lee Ranta had a no-hitter going after 5 innings, but the head coach removed his ace pitcher. Lehman managed two hits
off relievers Rich Burgos and Jeff DeLuca, but no runs. GRAND SLAM FOR CAPTAIN LEADS SEAHAWKS DOWN GLOBE 12-7 AS COGLIETTA DRIVES IN 5 It hadn't been the greatest of offensive
starts for captain Tim Coglietta this season, but the senior started to come out of his hitting funk last weekend. Coglietta
went 5 for 12 over the four games with Southern Maine and Abington. However, he had only one rbi over those games. That
all changed in the fourth innning yesterday, when Coglietta connected on a 3-2 pitch for a GRAND SLAM home run that changed
a 5-1 game into a 9-1 lead that the Seahawks would never relinguish. The Seahawks were well on their way to a 12-7
win, their sixth victory in their last seven games. Freshman Kevin Licul earned his first collegiate win. DOHT SENSATIONAL IN 2 HIT SHUTOUT, 8-0 SEAHAWKS LOSE NIGHTCAP IN BOTTOM OF LAST, 5-4
RICK DOHT, having not pitched since facing Apprentice in Virginia back in February, hit his first batter. However, that
would be one of only five baserunners allowed by Doht in a complete game shutout. Doht surrendered only an infield single
and a seventh inning solid single to right in his outstanding performance. The junior kept getting stronger
as the game went on. Doht threw only 98 pitches for the day. The Seahawks scored early and often, leading 8-0 after
two innings. However, the team sputtered after the second inning, and finished with only 2 hits in their last 19 at
bats. In game 2, the Seahawks were unable to keep a 2-0 lead. With the game tied in the bottom of the sixth and the go ahead
run on third, Anthony Mele caught a fly ball and threw to cutoff man Tom Locrotondo who fired to Eric Wiener behind the plate
to keep the game tied. However, the Seahawks would succumb with the winning run on third and 2 out when a chopper was
just out of the reach of closer Kurt Stettner, giving Penn State Abington a 5-4 win. The loss broke a 5 game win streak for
the Seahawks. RANTA GETS THE GOLD
CANADIAN HURLER WINS HIS 20th AT BRIARCLIFFE AS SEAhAWKS CLOBBER SOUTHERN MAINE, 19-1 After
Friday night's win over Southern Maine, the Seahawks had their usual endof game talk. This one however, was a bit different.
The players were reminded how their long time teammate was about to go for a historic career highlight the next day.
The players, to a man, swore to play their best game ever -- and did they ever come close!
Ranta struggled early, but after picking a guy off second base the Seahawk Captain seemed to relax and find himself.
By the third inning, it was becoming vintage Ranta, as Lee began to mow down hitter after hitter. The righthander would go
6 and 1/3 innings, leaving the game to a standing ovation from the home crowd in recognition of what then was becoming obvious
-- Ranta was about to win for the twentieth time. The game was tight for an inning,but after both Kevin
Licul and Sam Braverman ripped two out hits in the bottom of the first, Joe Solomeno made it count as he doubled home
both runners with a shot over the centerfielder's head. With
one out in the bottom of the second, # 9 hitter MIKE ROCCO delivered his first home run of the season to double the Seahawks
then 2-0 lead. Before the second inning was over, the seahawks would go on to score 8 more runs as the rout was on.
The final score, Briarcliffe 19, Southern Maine 1. The seahawks have now won four straight and are 5-4 overall. BRIARCLIFFE
ROLLS TO 11-1 WIN OVER SOUTHERN MAINE CC
The Briarcliffe Seahawks exploded for eight runs in the second inning, giving them a 10-0 lead, and rolled to an 11-1 win
over Southern Maine CC. The Seawolves, traveling from Virginia since early morning, had a hard time getting their offense
going against Vin Aprano. In fact, Aprano would scatter 3 hits in five innings of work as he raised his record to 3-0.
Tim Coglietta and Reggie Smith each had three hits. The Seahawks continue their two game series with Southern Maine
tomorrow, with game time at 11:00 AM. Lee Ranta, the senior captain, will go for his 20th lifetime win. Come on out and support
Briarcliffe College's winningest pitcher of the 21st century. BRIARCLIFFE
SWEEPS LYNDON STATE, 6-1, 9-4 BRAVERMAN HITS 2-RUN
HOMER IN BOTH GAMES! Sam Braverman made the Briarcliffe Seahawks home opener a winning one, hitting
two key home runs in the doubleheader sweep of Lyndon State. In game 1, the Seahawks trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the
third when the Seahawks pushed across the tying run. With the go ahead run scoring on a Kevin Licul rbi, the Seahawks
held a 2-1 lead when Braverman came to the plate. On a 1-2 pitch, Braverman delivered a long fly ball over the left
center field wall for a 4-1 lead. With Vin Aprano pitching well, the game was well in hand. Aprano gave up a solo
home run in the top of the second, but that was all the Hornets could get off the tough righthander. Aprano pitched
a complete game 4-hitter for his second win of the season in two starts. In the nightcap, the Seahawks put on an incredible display in the bottom of
the third. With two out, and nobody on, the Seahawks managed six consecutive hits and batted around, scoring 7 times.
Of course, once again Sam Braverman took a 2-0 lead and delivered his second two run homer of the afternoon to make the game
4-0.The Island Trees duo ofDave darcy and Anthony Mele combined for 7 hits in the doubleheader. Darcy was tremendous
as well in the field, turning two big double plays in game one. Lee Ranta pitched the first six innings to put his record
at 1-1 for the year. Kurt Stettner finished up with an impressive inning for the 9-4 win. The Seahawks are now 3-4 and
will travel to Penn State-Albington on Friday,March 12. The team will return home for a seven game homestand beginning
Saturday March 13. SEAHAWKS GO 1-4 ON TRIP The Seahawks opened their 2010 season in Newport News, VA finishing 1-4
in the Builder Invitational Tournament. The team lost games to Bloomsburg University, Kutztown University and USCAA
rival Apprentice while splitting two games with Lock Haven University. Despite the losses, a lot of positive things
came out of the tournament. First and foremost, the starting pitching was pretty solid, with no pitcher trailing by more than
3 runs after 5 innings of work. Additionally, the middle of the order (3,4,5 hitters Kevin Licul, Sam Braverman, and
Joe Solomeno) had a very successful weekend, going a combined 17 for 45 (a .378 clip) and 16 rbi. Leadoff hitter Reggie
Smith, despite a low batting average, had a .417 on base percentage. Eric Wiener, hitting in the # 2 spot, led the team
in on base percentage. Wiener had a team high 6 walks and 6 runs scored, and also the team high on base percentage
of near .650. Wiener also picked a runner off first base. The starting pitching, though not superb, was more than adequate.
Vin Aprano got the only win for the Seahawks. Chris Brezinski, however, pitched the best game of the series. Brezinski
held Top 25 ranked KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY to just 4 earned runs after six innings of work. Weather permitting, the team opens
its home stand on Sunday MArch 6 at 12 Noon vs. Lyndon State University. WIENER NAMED TO ALL TOURNEY TEAM
Freshman Eric Wiener, who dh'd and played catcher during this BUILDER INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT, was named to the ALL TOURNAMENT
TEAM. Wiener, the diminutive catcher who plays like a 7 foot giant, led the Seahawks in on base percentage, walks, and
runs scored. The freshman hit .333 and had an on base percentage of almost .650. CONGRATULATIONS, ERIC!!
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